Lens Unit Light Blocking Apertures Stray Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lens units in image forming and reading apparatuses suffer from low contrast and resolution due to light leakage between lenses, which degrades the quality of projected images.
Innovation Solution
A lens unit comprising a lens array with first and second light blocking members, featuring apertures of varying shapes along the optical axis, strategically positioned to block stray light and enhance image formation, thereby improving resolution and contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a plurality of lens pairs is arranged substantially linearly to form an erected same-size image, then the image forming capability is improved, but light leakage between adjacent lenses occurs causing low contrast and deteriorated resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful stray light between adjacent lenses by introducing light blocking members (aperture masks) positioned between the lens pairs. These masks block the unwanted light paths while maintaining the optical functionality of the lens array, thereby eliminating the light leakage problem without removing the lens pairs themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light blocking members as intermediary elements between the adjacent lenses. These intermediaries selectively block stray light paths while allowing the intended optical paths to pass through, mediating between the need for multiple lens pairs and the need to prevent light leakage.
2Measurement precision
If light blocking members are added to prevent light leakage, then image contrast and resolution are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light blocking members are designed to serve multiple functions: they block stray light between adjacent lenses, define the optical paths, and can be integrated into the existing optical structure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the light blocking function with the existing optical system structure by positioning the light blocking members within the optical path between lenses. This integration approach combines the light blocking function with the lens array structure, reducing the overall complexity compared to adding completely separate blocking components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively blocks stray light, resulting in higher resolution and improved image quality by preventing light leakage between lenses, thus enhancing the overall performance of image forming and reading apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens for forming an inverted reduced-size image of an object
Implementation Method 2
a second lens for forming an inverted enlarged-size image of the inverted reduced-size image formed with the first lens
Implementation Method 3
The first light blocking member is disposed between the first lenses and the second lenses, and includes first apertures. The second light blocking member includes second apertures arranged in a substantially linear arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
A lens unit includes a lens array, a first light blocking member, and a second light blocking member. The lens array includes a plurality of lens pairs arranged in a substantially linear arrangement. Each of the lens pairs includes a first lens for forming an inverted reduced-size image of an object and a second lens for forming an inverted enlarged-size image of the inverted reduced-size image. The first light blocking member is disposed between the first lenses and the second lenses, and includes first apertures. The second light blocking member includes second apertures arranged in a substantially linear arrangement corresponding to an arrangement interval of the lens pairs, and having different opening portion shapes depending on a position of the lens pairs in an optical axis direction of the lens pairs. The second light blocking member is disposed at least between the first lenses and an object plane or the second lenses and an image plane.